Fire Specialist

Baltimore County is hiring a Fire Specialist for its Fire Department in Towson, MD. Applicants must be current uniformed employees with three years of experience, including as a Firefighter/EMT, and hold specific certifications. The role involves conducting fire prevention inspections, training programs, and administrative support. Application materials must be submitted by August 7, 2026. This position requires on-site presence and is not remote.
Pay Schedule V, Salary Grade 12 F Test is limited to qualified applicants currently employed in the Baltimore County Fire Department who meet the required experience as of December 4, 2026.
Applicants may apply for this position if they are currently employed as a uniformed employee of the Baltimore County Fire Department with three years of experience, two years of which were as a Firefighter/ Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Technician/ Firefighter; plus possession of a Firefighter II certificate and Fire Inspector I or First Responder Inspector certificate.

Note: Periods of absence due to military leave shall be considered continuous employment.

Applicants are required to submit proof of their Firefighter II certificate and Fire Inspector I or First Responder Inspector certificate with their applications or to the Office of Human Resources/ Jessica Hall by 4:30 PM on August 7, 2026.

Applicants will automatically receive a system-generated e-mail confirmation when their applications have been successfully submitted. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Human Resources at 410-887-8517 to confirm receipt of application materials.
Office of Human Resources
ATTN: Fire Specialist/Jessica Hall
308 Allegheny Avenue,
Towson, Maryland 21204

Mail Stop #62

410-887-8517 (phone)
jehall@baltimorecountymd.gov (Scan/Email)Under general supervision, performs a variety of full performance fire protection functions. Conducts training programs in fire prevention, suppression, and related areas. Provides administrative support to a fire company.

Schedules a regular routine of fire prevention inspections of garden apartments, mercantile and other occupancies by assigned station shift to ensure compliance with the Fire Prevention Code, to familiarize Firefighters with their station district, and to gather information for pre-fire plans.Regulates and documents in-station training of professional firefighter knowledge and skills to ensure Firefighters have sufficient opportunity to acquire such skills for higher level professional certifications.Conducts basic in-station training programs. Performs Firefighter duties.Conducts fire prevention inspections of new construction and special occupancies.Conducts commercial and residential inspections of the storage, handling and use of hazardous materials and recommends methods for abating fire hazards.Develops emergency evacuation plans.Reads and interprets construction plans and specifications.Determines fire ignition sequences.Photographs fire scenes, interviews witnesses and suspects, and collects evidence according to legal requirements to ensure admissibility in court.May testify in court.Writes reports and keeps records.Develops, organizes and conducts fire prevention education campaigns.Conducts fire prevention, suppression and related training for the recruit program, volunteers, career personnel, other county agencies and institutional fire brigades.Evaluates new firefighting equipment and apparatus, and trains volunteer and career personnel in its proper use.Tests in-service firefighting equipment and apparatus.Updates audiovisual material for training programs.Assists with scheduling and conducting battalion drills.Assists in establishing standard, detailed criteria for evaluating personnel's knowledge and skills for professional certifications to ensure uniformity among stations and divisions.Prepares rating forms and develops training packages for station use in evaluating personnel for professional certifications.May assist the ground Fire Commander with water supply and command post duties.Provides emergency medical services as required by the Maryland Medical Protocol for EMS providers.Examples of Other Duties
Performs other related duties as required.

(NOTE: The duties and responsibilities listed above are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications for all positions in this class. They may not include all of the essential job functions of each position in the class. Each position may not be required to perform all of the essential job functions listed.)Training and Experience
Currently employed as a uniformed employee of the Baltimore County Fire Department with three years of
experience, two years of which were as a Firefighter/ Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Technician/ Firefighter; plus possession of a Firefighter II certificate and Fire Inspector I or First Responder Inspector certificate.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs Entry Level)

Knowledge of the
•County and departmental rules, regulations, policies and operating procedures.
•Principles and practices of fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency rescue and emergency medical services operations.
•Operation and maintenance of departmental vehicles, apparatus, and equipment.
•Types, causes, character, and behavior of fires.
•Provision of basic life support services.

Skill in
•Performing fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency rescue, and emergency medical services activities.
•Performing physically strenuous work such as lifting, carrying, and dragging ladders, hoses, and other firefighting equipment.
•Operating departmental vehicles, apparatus, and equipment.
•Investigating the causes of fires and in inspecting structures for compliance with the Fire Code.
•Conducting fire safety programs.
•Maintaining records.

Ability to
•Schedule and conduct fire prevention inspections.
•Investigate fires and determine fire ignition sequences.
•Provide administrative support to a fire company.
•Read and interpret construction plans and specifications.
•Coordinate and conduct fire prevention, suppression, and related in-service training programs.
•Act calmly and decisively in emergency situations.
•Maintain effective working relationships.
•Communicate effectively.

Physical Requirements
Persons appointed to this classification must be able to safely perform the duties of the position without posing a threat to the health or safety of themselves or others.

Character Requirements
Persons appointed to this classification must be of good moral character and emotionally stable as determined by a comprehensive background investigation and a drug test.

Licenses and Certificates
Currently employed as a uniformed employee of the Baltimore County Fire Department with three years of
experience, two years of which were as a Firefighter/ Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Technician/ Firefighter; plus possession of a Firefighter II certificate and Fire Inspector I or First Responder Inspector certificate.

Possession of a valid driver's license equivalent to a noncommercial, class C Maryland driver's license is required at the time of appointment.

Examination
The written examination is tentatively scheduled for September 10, 2026. You will be notified at a later date of the time and place.

All examination dates are tentative and are subject to change due to test location availability, inclement weather, and /or the availability of outside raters.

Parts and Weights
The weights of the examination process is as follows:

Written Examination: 100%
Seniority will be weighted at: 3%

Seniority is computed as follows: You will receive a .225 point credit for each continuous year of service from the employee's most recent appointment date, continuing through and including the tenth year., and a .075 point credit for each subsequent year of service up to twenty years.Employees in this classification may be assigned to work on either a rotating or fixed shift basis, which will include nights, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays. Employees in this classification are subject to call to duty in emergencies, and may be required to work overtime with little or no notice.

Physical and Environmental Conditions
The work of this classification entails the performance of heavy physical labor involving fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical operations. Work requires exposure to potentially hazardous public safety activities.

Employees must maintain required licenses and certifications throughout their employment.